Undefeated lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla is out to make a name for himself in the talent-laden 135-pound division.
Muratalla (20-0, 16 KOs) will take on former world champion Tevin Farmer (33-5-1, 8 KOs) on July 13, in a Top Rank on ESPN event at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The California product hopes a win brings him closer to challenging for a world title – against one of the division’s elite.
In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com, the 27-year-old Muratalla tabbed boxing superstar and WBA 135-pound world champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis as the world’s best lightweight and tipped him to beat IBF counterpart Vasiliy Lomachenko if their potential November unification bout takes place.
"If I have to rank the top lightweights in the world currently, I think Tank is first, then [WBC champion] Shakur Stevenson, then Lomachenko and then [IBF champion] Denis Berinchyk,” said Muratalla.
“Tank and Loma’s fight will be a good one, and I think if Loma can box throughout the fight, he can do something. But all in all, I believe Tank will win. I think his power will be too much for Lomachenko in later rounds of the fight."
Muratalla, rated No. 2 by both the WBC and the WBO at lightweight, is eager to place himself in the mix of these high-profile fights. "I’m willing to fight any of the four champions in the division. I think my power can change a fight easily, and that’s another great fight with Tank if it happens.
“Shakur is another fighter that we want, and as far as he is with Top Rank, we can make that one happen for sure,” Muratalla said. “Either of the WBC or WBO is fine for me. I’ll take any of those offers.”
Muratalla has also been called out by undefeated lightweights Keyshawn Davis and William Zepeda.
On a possible fight with phenom Davis (11-0, 7 KOs), Muratalla said, "I like Davis. I want to fight him, too, but it all depends on Top Rank to make the fight, and hopefully, we can make that for the fans."
Regarding the hard-hitting Zepeda (30-0, 26 KOs), Muratalla believes he doesn’t bring enough to the table.
“I don’t think Zepeda can trouble me with his counterpunching skill at all because I think I am too big, too strong, fast and quick. My IQ in the ring is different to these guys, and I can’t wait to show it when I face them.”
Muratalla’s skills might bring him success in the ring, but he believes he’ll need to do more in order to gain the kind of recognition and attention he believes he deserves.
"It seems I have to be talking more trash to raise my profile. I think that is what is missing, and I need to start doing that more to get the fights,” he said.
"I have always been a no-nonsense guy. I started boxing at a very tender age, and I have always trained hard because it is a dangerous sport. I think I’m right there. Hopefully I get that shot before the champions in the division unifications. I deserve to be in that conversation.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” back in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at bernardneequaye@gmail.com.
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